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Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

A look at the Top 10 best movies overall and best family films of 2021

NEW YORK (CNS) — The year just past saw the film industry tentatively working its way back from the nearly paralyzed state into which it had been thrown by the coronavirus pandemic.

It remains to be seen, however, when — or, indeed, if — things will return to something resembling pre-COVID-19 normal for Hollywood.

Meantime, releases have continued and, although several of 2021’s best movies qualified, under revised eligibility rules, for the Academy Awards presentation in April, some that arrived on screen later were of notable quality. Of these, two were musicals, a genre not often encountered at the multiplex these days.

Outstanding films suitable for family viewing seem to be increasingly rare. In part, that’s due to the inclusion, even in children’s movies, of material at odds with traditional morality. As a result, only a limited number of pictures can be endorsed as both cinematically worthy and genuinely wholesome.

Below, in alphabetical order, are capsule reviews of the Top 10 movies overall and seven of the best family films of 2021 as selected by the Media Review Office of Catholic News Service.

The CNS classification of all the pictures on the former list is A-III — adults. Unless otherwise noted, the Motion Picture Association rating of each is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

With regard to titles in the second category, except as indicated, the Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Top 10 overall:

— In “Belfast,” writer-director Kenneth Branagh uses the perspective of a 9-year-old boy (Jude Hill) to examine the effects of the sectarian strife that swept across Northern Ireland at the end of the 1960s. As the lad’s father (Jamie Dornan) resists pressure to join in the violence, his mother (Caitríona Balfe) struggles to keep him and his older brother (Lewis McAskie) safe and morally grounded. A sensitive exploration of the plight of decent people surrounded by malignant bigotry, this moving drama is also a celebration of romantic love, including that uniting the protagonist’s grandparents (Judi Dench and Ciarán Hinds).

— The challenges of being the only hearing member of a close-knit family are movingly explored in the drama “CODA,” the title of which is an acronym for child of deaf adults. The 17-year-old scion (Emilia Jones) of a working-class fishing clan (rounded out by parents Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur and older brother Daniel Durant) in Gloucester, Massachusetts, struggles to decide whether she should try to get into a prestigious music college or stay at home where she has always served as her relatives’ interpreter. Writer-director Sian Heder’s high-quality coming-of-age story is both authentic and insightful.

— Adapted from his play by director and co-writer Florian Zeller, the drama “The Father” portrays the difficulties resulting from dementia in an innovative way. Anthony Hopkins turns in a skillfully understated performance as a man in his 80s whose mental confusion — Olivia Colman plays one of the women he takes for his daughter — keeps the viewer off-balance as well. Zeller and his script partner Christopher Hampton courageously delve into moral depths and lay bare family relationships.

— The vibrant musical “In the Heights” charts the efforts of a youthful New York bodega owner (Anthony Ramos) to return to his native Dominican Republic, the scene of his idealized childhood, and the effect of this “little dream” on — among others — the aspiring fashion designer (Melissa Barrera) for whom he’s fallen. Director Jon M. Chu’s sweeping adaptation of composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway hit also follows the parallel romance linking the protagonist’s best friend (Corey Hawkins) with a gifted college student (Leslie Grace) and introduces a variety of neighborhood characters while touching on themes of racial dignity and the plight of immigrants.

— “Judas and the Black Messiah” is a compelling fact-based drama, set in the late 1960s, in which a Chicago car thief (Lakeith Stanfield) facing a long prison term agrees to infiltrate the local chapter of the Black Panther Party and supply information to an FBI agent (Jesse Plemons) about its charismatic chairman, Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya). Working from a script he co-wrote with Will Berson, debuting director Shaka King skillfully maintains interest in this personality-rich study of conflicted loyalties and in the budding romance between Hampton and one of his followers (Dominique Fishback). The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

— A vivid performance from Will Smith as the father of future tennis greats Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and Serena (Demi Singleton) Williams energizes the intriguing fact-based sports drama “King Richard.” By turns determined and, as the nickname of the title suggests, domineering, with the help of his dedicated wife (Aunjanue Ellis), he overcomes long odds to fulfill his dream of making his daughters world-renowned champions. Director Reinaldo Marcus Green’s film highlights the value of persistence, humility, self-discipline and good parenting.

— Set in the 1980s, and loosely based on the childhood experiences of writer-director Lee Isaac Chung, “Minari,” a gentle mix of drama and comedy, explores the immigrant experience from a Korean-American perspective while also charting the struggles and triumphs of family life. An aspiring produce farmer (Steven Yeun), his wife (Yeri Han) and their two children (Alan Kim and Noel Kate Cho) move from California to rural Arkansas where the tensions of their new life inspire constant bickering. So, too, does the presence of the children’s maternal grandmother (Yuh-jung Youn) after she joins the household to help look after them.

— A sense of loneliness pervades the poignant drama “Nomadland.” Frances McDormand gives a bravura performance as a working-class widow from a failed factory town who takes to the road in search of seasonal employment, becoming part of a subculture of marginalized sojourners who move from one trailer park to the next in their struggle to evade economic ruin. Drawing on journalist Jessica Bruder’s 2017 book, writer-director Chloe Zhao highlights how momentary encounters and emotional connection help to relieve the cycle of menial labor and anxiety for the future her vulnerable but resilient protagonist endures. (R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or guardian.)

— Action, humor and drama are skillfully combined in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” the lavish final installment of a trilogy of films starring Tom Holland as the Marvel Comics superhero. When the revelation of his identity as Peter Parker and a raging public debate about his true intentions have an adverse effect on the lives of both his girlfriend (Zendaya) and his best pal (Jacob Batalon), Spidey turns to sorcerer Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) for help. But the latter’s spell goes awry, with potentially dire consequences. Returning director Jon Watts serves up giddy visuals and high-budget special effects as his movie explores themes of altruism, moral decision making and the desire for revenge.

— “West Side Story,” the splendid second film version of the classic 1957 Broadway musical, charts the romance of its modern-day Romeo and Juliet, Manhattan slum dwellers Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler), and their effort to cross the ethnic divide that separates them, a division embodied and intensified by the escalating feud between the white gang to which he belongs (led by Mike Faist) and the Hispanic one headed by her brother (David Alvarez). By turns celebratory and heartbreaking, director Steven Spielberg and screenwriter Tony Kushner’s masterful enhancement of an already brilliant work proves captivating.

Best family films:

— The cheerful, lively biopic “American Underdog” traces the initial challenges and eventual rise to stardom of NFL quarterback Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi). In recounting how the ex-college player found his way back onto the traditional gridiron via arena football, overcoming personal problems and falling for a previously married former Marine corporal (Anna Paquin) along the way, screenwriter David Aaron Cohen and directing brothers Andrew and Jon Erwin touch only lightly on their protagonist’s well-publicized evangelical beliefs, focusing instead on the mechanics of the game. But they avoid a preachy tone while keeping things generally wholesome. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents.

— “Encanto” is a vivacious animated musical about a teen girl (voice of Stephanie Beatriz) living in an enchanted enclave in Colombia with her strong-willed grandmother (voice of María Cecilia Botero) and protective parents (voices of Angie Cepeda and Wilmer Valderrama) as well as other members of her family, many of them endowed with a supernatural talent. Amid colorful visuals and catchy songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the script — penned by Charise Castro Smith and Jared Bush (both of whom co-directed with Byron Howard) — delivers worthy messages about community service, cooperation and family reconciliation. But a strong emphasis on magic may be of concern to some parents. (A-II)

— Filmmakers Jonathan Cipiti and Megan Harrington’s inspirational hourlong documentary “The House That Rob Built” profiles longtime University of Montana women’s basketball coach Robin Selvig. A former college player kept from becoming a professional by a knee injury, Selvig began coaching in 1978 at a time when female squads weren’t even recognized by the NCAA. Over the four decades that followed, he not only amassed a winning record but, more significantly, wielded a positive influence over the lives of many students, both on and off the court. Former players movingly recall his impact, making this an upbeat biography that’s also suitable for family viewing. The Catholic News Service classification is A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

— In the animated fantasy “Luca,” the timid young sea monster of the title (voice of Jacob Tremblay), who lives off the coast of Liguria, discovers that he is transformed into a preteen boy when on dry land, befriends a more daring shape-shifter (voice of Jack Dylan Grazer) in the same situation as well as a strictly human local girl (voice of Emma Berman) and together the trio enters a triathlon, hoping to defeat the arrogant bully (voice of Saverio Raimondo) who has long dominated the event. Director Enrico Casarosa’s film is a winsome tale full of charm and Italian flair. Too complicated for tots, who might also be frightened, it’s acceptable for all others. (A-I)

— Adapted from the Nickelodeon cartoon series, “PAW Patrol: The Movie” follows the exploits of a rescue crew of puppies led by a preteen boy (voice of Will Brisbin). As they once again take on the egotistical politician (voice of Ron Pardo) who has long been their nemesis, they’re aided by a newcomer to the team, an enthusiastic dachshund (voice of Marsai Martin), but hindered by the self-doubts troubling the German shepherd who serves as their policeman (voice of Iain Armitage). Director and co-writer Cal Brunker serves up a breezy, tenderhearted adventure with built-in lessons about the nature of heroism and the value of cooperation. (A-I) The Motion Picture Association rating is G — general audiences. All Ages Admitted.

— In “Raya and the Last Dragon,” a teen (voice of Kelly Marie Tran) teams with the creature of the title (voice of Awkwafina) to defeat the dark force that has brought turmoil to her once-tranquil world and turned many of its inhabitants into stone statues. The duo is aided, on their quest, by a young mariner (voice of Izaac Wang) and a fearsome but good-hearted warrior (voice of Benedict Wong). Co-directed by Don Hall and Carlos Lopez Estrada, this lively and colorful animated adventure promotes trust of adversaries and showcases the ills produced by greed and aggression. Some quasi-religious behavior might confuse impressionable youngsters. (A-II)

— “Ron’s Gone Wrong” is an endearing animated comedy in which a socially isolated middle schooler (voice of Jack Dylan Grazer) yearns for the robot toy that has become a status symbol among his classmates. But, when he receives one as a birthday gift from his cash-strapped, widowed dad (voice of Ed Helms) and Bulgarian immigrant grandmother (voice of Olivia Colman), it turns out to be a damaged model (voice of Zach Galifianakis) that he initially spurns — though he eventually learns to appreciate the affection and sunny good nature underlying the eccentricities of his quirky new companion. Co-directors Sarah Smith, Jean-Philippe Vine and Octavio E. Rodriguez’s film wreaks entertaining chaos while sending positive messages about friendship, altruism and the need to resist both peer pressure and mindless consumerism. (A-I)

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Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on horizon

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Movie Review: ‘IF’

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95 Best Catholic Movies

To rent for your family.

All of these movies can be rented online at Netflix or ordered on Amazon and other sites may offer them as well.

Be sure to print this list and keep handy for the long winter months ahead!

Print a list of the movies here.

For Greater Glory (2012)

October Baby (2011)

The 13th Day: The True Story of Fatima (2009)

Pope Benedict XVI: A Love Affair With The Truth (2008)

The Way (2010)

No Greater Love (2009)

St. Guiseppe Moscati (2007)

A Walk to Beautiful (2007)

The Rite (2011)

Saint Rita (2004)

John Bosco (2004)

The Miracle of Marcelino (1955)

Joan of Arc (1999)

Bella (2006)

The Scarlet and The Black (1983)

Clare & Francis (2007)

Molokai: The Story of Father Damien (1999)

Au Revoir Les Infants (1987)

Confession (2005)

Saint Patrick: The Irish Legend (2000)

Great Souls: Mother Teresa (2002)

One Night With The King (2006)

Padre Pio: The Priest Who Bore The Wounds of Christ (2007)

Therese (1986)

Sheen Gems: The Best of Fulton Sheen (2005)

Faustina (1995)

Boys Town (1938)

St. Teresa of Avila (2008)

Jonah: a Veggie Tales Movie (2002)

Les Miserables 1(978)

Saint John in Exile (1988)

The Passion of The Christ (2004)

Archbishop Fulton Sheen: Love is Truth (2007)

Mary, Mother of Jesus (1999)

Quo Vadis (1951)

Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story (1996)

Henry V (1989)

Ben Hur (1959)

The Robe (1953)

The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima (1952)

The Ten Commandments (1956)

Lilies of The Field (1963)

In The Presence of Our Lord (2007)

A Man For All Seasons (1966)

The Song of Bernadette (1943)

Padre Pio: Miracle Man (2000)

Not of This World (1999)

The Son (2002)

Mother Teresa (2003)

Diary of a Country Priest (1951)

The Jeweler’s Shop (1988)

The Cheese Nun (2002)

The Reluctant Saint (1962)

One Man’s Hero (1999)

Babette’s Feast (1987)

Shoes of The Fisherman (1986)

Pope John Paul II (1984)

The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)

Monsieur Vincent (1948)

The Miracle Maker: the Story of Jesus (2000)

The Passion of Joann of Arc (1928)

The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)

Celebration of Catholicism (2005)

Dead Man Walking (1995)

The Hoodlum Priest (1961)

Sister Act (1992)

The Keys of the Kingdom (1944)

I Confess (1953)

The Trouble With Angels (1956)

Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972)

Joan of Arc (1948)

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)

Padre Pio: Between Heaven & Earth (2000)

The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)

The Fourth Wiseman (1985)

The Miracle of The Bells (1948)

Brother Orchid (1940)

The Flowers of St. Francis (1950)

Barabbas (1962)

The Gospel of John (2003)

Francis of Assisi (1961)

Archbishop Fulton Sheen:

Love is Truth (2007)

Love is Faith (2007)

Love is Hope (2007)

Love is Eternal (2007)

Angels (2006)

Good Friday Special (2006)

The Decalogue (1987)

The Silver Chalice (1954)

Abraham (1994)

The Gospel According to Saint Matthew (1966)

When in Rome (1952)

A.D. (1985)

Francesco (1989)

Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954)

Family Movie Nights, Are They Even Possible? . . . Our Favorite Movies (Mostly) Appropriate for All Ages

by Kendra | Jul 29, 2019 | Catholic Mom Movie Review , Hey Watch This , Mailbag | 69 comments

Just a reminder: The August Prayer Booklet is available in the blog shop as a print at home PDF , and on Amazon as a paperback booklet . The first devotion for the month is Our Lady, Queen of Angels and the very cool associated Portiuncula Indulgence of St. Francis of Assisi on August 2nd, so get ready now. 🙂 Each month’s new booklet is available on the 20th of the preceding month, assuming I can get all of them done before (or with) new baby! About a month to go on that front, keep us in your prayers!

It’s been a while since we had a mailbag post on the blog, but it seemed like this one would be of interest to many.

THE QUESTION

Dear Kendra, We have eight children ages 10 months-17 years. For the last few years we’ve been having a hard time finding a movie that we can all enjoy as a family. On family movie night, we’ll often end up with three or four groups watching different movies on separate laptops in different rooms–not the effect we were going for in having a family movie night. But the older kids’ movies are either inappropriate for little kids or won’t hold their attention, and the little kids want to watch a cartoon or children’s movie that the older kids are bored with. It’s also becoming difficult because we feel there are movies that the teenage girls could watch but the 12- and 10-year-old boys should not, and these younger kids are always chomping at the bit to watch the movies the older kids are watching. We’re having trouble coming up with old classic movies that would be appropriate (and interesting) for any audience that we haven’t seen a million times. How does your family solve this problem? You’re in our prayers. Thanks and God bless, Beth

Thank you for your prayers. Such a good question. But . . . it sounds like two issues to me. I agree that true “family entertainment” is hard to find, but, really, in our home the main point of family movie night is to be together and have a shared experience, not to cater to every personal preference.

It makes me think of my old “I Do Not Cook Two Dinners” post. I also do not put on two movies. That means that sometimes the teenagers watch Pinocchio (as we all did together on Father’s Day and everyone really enjoyed) and sometimes the toddlers watch I Confess which we also watched recently and which obviously went over the little guys’ heads.

We allow input from all parties in the choice of movie, but once it’s chosen, there’s no whining or complaining, especially from teenagers, unless they’d prefer to go vacuum out the cars instead of watching a movie.

We don’t expect everyone to love every movie, and, of course, every movie night is a chance to practice discernment. We have often paused something to have a quick discussion and we would certainly switch to a different movie if we had inadvertently chosen something inappropriate. But if the family activity just doesn’t happen to be your favorite, that’s okay, you can be polite and watch anyway. And we can discuss it together afterwards.

We tend to watch movies in the evening, so if something isn’t holding the interest of the little kids, we can just pause it and put them to bed. And if we want to share a movie with just our teens, we’ll start it after the younger ones are in bed, so as not to cause unhappiness amongst the littles.

But we do it together. I want to be there to guide my kids’ understanding of a movie, and I want us to have that shared family experience and be able to have conversations or inside jokes about it afterwards. So, it’s rare that any of our kids would watch a movie for the first time without a parent. If they’re watching on their own, it’s from a limited selection of TV shows that I’m comfortable with, or a movie we’ve watched before. Our teenagers will occasionally go out to the movies with friends, if we’ve read reviews online or talked to someone who has seen it.

So, all that to say . . . perhaps you won’t agree with me, but I think the shared experience is more important than how much any particular individual likes the movie, and even if that unicorn of the perfect family movie doesn’t exist, family movie night is still a worthwhile thing to do!

Movies and TV show recommendations have been some of my most controversial posts on the blog. People feel VERY strongly about what’s appropriate for family viewing or for Catholic viewing. Different folks have very different comfort levels with different types of content.

In our home, we avoid movies with more than a very small amount of swearing (we are okay with a bit more language in movies for our oldest kids, who understand why we avoid using swear words ourselves) and any sexual nudity (unfortunately these two preferences leave out most of the movies from my 80s childhood), sex and toilet humor, sex scenes, mindless violence, divorce/remarriage/living together before marriage as a prominent theme, or anything that celebrates evil or sassiness or disobedience, as we think that these influences have the potential to be disruptive to happy family life. I also dislike the standard Girls Just Wanna Have Fun trope of the parents not understanding the child’s passion for something, the kid doing it anyway, and the parents learning learning that they were wrong the whole time, so so wrong. (See The Little Mermaid, Brave, Coco .)

Note: I am very careful about how much family fighting a movie shows. There are a few movies that we watch that contain family fighting but we always talk about what’s going on, as that isn’t something that happens in our home. Kids shouting things at their parents (especially something like, “I hate you!” at their parents) is almost always a deal-breaker for me. I have been a mom for seventeen years and nine kids so far and NOT ONCE has anyone shouted, “I hate you,” or “You’re stupid!” or “I wish you weren’t my mom!” at me. This is certainly not because I am a perfect and never stupid mom. I am (often) imperfect and (occasionally) stupid. But the husband and I don’t speak like that to each other and we don’t speak like that to our children, and we are very careful about our kids seeing other kids speaking like that in movies or TV shows. I think that does the trick.

Bonus Movie Review: Lion King 2019

It bugs me that people are calling this movie “live action.” It’s definitely still animated, it’s just differently animated. End of rant.

Anyway, I’ve heard a lot of folks online wondering if this needed to be remade, as the original was so good, and the remake is really very similar. But I think there’s an important clarification in the remake that makes it worth redoing and worth seeing.

In the 1994 version, it’s easy to miss the point that the Hakuna Matata worldview is WRONG. After all, it’s a really catchy song, and we like Timon and Pumba, and the ramifications of the song aren’t addressed. In the 2019 version, we still get the song, but we also get a more in depth look at what that philosophy means: that life has no purpose or greater meaning or eternal consequences and that we should just look out for ourselves, and bother none about those around us.

Mufasa’s Circle of Life worldview, on the other hand, is one where our actions and choices affect one another, where life has meaning and purpose, where sacrifice and responsibility exist, and where there is an afterlife from which the noble dead can inspire and support us. Yay! It’s made clear in this version that Mufasa’s Circle of Life philosophy is the correct one. I think that’s an important message! And aside from adding in the word “farted” to a song from which it was awfully nice to have had it skipped all these years, the remakers avoided the temptation to get edgy with the source martial. The characters are the characters, the actors are good, the jokes are funny. I think it’s worth a watch.

As always, I encourage you to look up other reviews or preview movies before watching in case what you think is appropriate for your family isn’t the same as what I think is appropriate for mine.

I’d love to hear what you would add to the list! And if I forgot a warning note for a particular movie on the list, please feel free to share that too. It has been a while since I’ve seen some of these!

69 Comments

Some others we like are Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Swiss Family Robinson, and Old Yeller . . . and all are based on books so we can read aloud first, watch, and compare.

Amen to these three movies!

I’d love to hear if your family does any Westerns. It’s a genre I’d love to try with the kids, but I’m not familiar enough to know what would be appropriate.

We haven’t really, but I definitely feel like we should. Bullwhip Griffin is western-ish but really just Classic Disney live action. I think it’s hard to avoid the hooker with a heart of gold trope with most “real” westerns.

You should really watch The Man From Snowy River. An Australian western coming of age film. A couple of swear words. The romance is handled well. Themes of family, forgiveness, and beautiful settings.

A little late to the thread, but The Rifleman starring Chuck Conners is by far our favorite family western. It’s all in black and white, but it’s about a boy and his father and each episode seems to have a wholesome message. Also, no hookers and the violence is extremely mild.

Thanks, Kendra, for the list. We needed some fresh ideas! I always appreciate your insight as well as the time and effort it takes you to help us fellow mommas out

Prayers for you and your family as you prepare to welcome another little sweetie

But but but… You DO admit that the BBC version of P&P (with Colin Firth) is the one, true, perfect, and romantic version, yes?? Or I’m going to go ahead and call you a heretic.

I DO NOT! Pride and Prejudice 2005 forevah! 😀

Oh, so you haven’t seen the BBC version. I get it.

This is only going to make things worse, I know, but I don’t like Colin Firth’s Darcy. He’s handsome, he’s rich, but I don’t get why she’d LIKE him. All he does is smirk. That’s not endearing to me. Matthew Macfayden’s Darcy has a vulnerability that would make her fall in love with him. He opens up to her, like he does with his sister but almost no one else. It’s all so charming. Colin Firth is never vulnerable. He is still smirking at the double wedding. I just don’t get why anyone likes him.

You don’t think the way he bails out her sister and then sweetly, nervously, boyishly, yet with refinement, asks her if she approves of Pemberley, after rushing to get properly attired to greet her family? I CANNOT EVEN!!! <3 LOL This version and Sound of Music are my two favorite romances EVAHHH!! By the way, BLESSINGS to you with your upcoming arrival, and my prayers for a safe and healthy delivery for you both. 🙂 <3 Also, have you seen The Secret of Roan Inish? Its a personal favorite, and I feel you would like it…it's Irish! 🙂

Yes, the Secret of Roan Inish is great! I’ll have to add it to the 90s list.

Ahhhhh I thought I was the only one who preferred the 2005 version!! Feeling a real kinship with you right now, Kendra. :oD

Thanks! There’s some great new movie material for our family here! I’m glad you mentioned filtering services. We are subscribed to one, but I too worry about telling someone we watched a certain movie with the kids and them not knowing it was filtered.

Have you watched Goodbye, Christopher Robin? I saw it (alone, on a plane) and thought it might be good for a family movie.

I haven’t but I think I saw it on Netflix, so maybe I’ll give it a peek!

We just watched Paper Planes on Amazon (free for Prime). It’s rated G and overall enjoyable and positive movie.

What do you think about “Bedknobs & Brooms”? On one hand, a classic. On the other, she’s a witch.

Sorry, “Broomsticks”

We’ve seen Bedknobs and Broomsticks, but my kids didn’t like it as much as other Disney movies, but the witch thing isn’t a problem for me. It seems like fantasy not occult, which is the distinction I look for.

Can you elaborate on this? Fantasy vs occult? Or maybe you already have a post? We avoid anything that makes sorcery look good since the Bible condemns it and we’d like to keep clear good vs evil. I’m curious how you get the right message through to your kids without clouding it with a “sometimes” reasoning. I do not claim to be an expert and look to holy, experienced moms to help me discern.

Yes! There are lots of fantasy stories/picture books/fairy tales that contain magic. Stories like these can be good or bad depending on what their message is, but the magic itself is just part of that world and used as a fun and creative way to tell a story. That’s different than the occult, which is what’s usually called “dark” magic, or devil worship, or satanism, or what have you.

Most stories that contain magic don’t have anything to do with God or the devil at all, it’s just another name for superpowers, basically. My children, and almost all children, I would think, don’t have any trouble distinguishing between a make-believe fantasy/magical world and the real world. It seems entirely unlikely that a child who does not otherwise have a temptation toward occult practices would read a fairy tale that contains magic and randomly make a leap to a completely unrelated interest in devil worship.

We do not avoid fantasy and fairy tale and magical stories if they have a good message. We do avoid them if they have a bad message. We largely avoid stories that have occult-type magic, with pentagrams and invoking demons and whatnot. That’s a different thing entirely. We largely avoid stories about the devil, but not entirely. One of our favorite picture books is a Grimm’s fairy tale about a guy who makes a deal with the devil, called the Bearskinner. It’s a really beautiful story of redemption and the efficacy of prayer, and the message is . . . DON’T make deals with the devil.

We like The Princess and the Frog for the same reason. It’s got dark magic and demons in it, but presented in the correct way, as a BAD thing that doesn’t work out well for ya. (Mama Odie seems to be some sort of good witch, which is a bit problematic, so I just explain that to my kids.) Also, the frogs get married and that changes what she is, which changes the magic. I think it’s a beautiful Truth! Then they get actually married in a Catholic Church because that’s what people have to do! It’s pretty great overall. So, while I can see why people might see that it’s a movie for kids about dark magic and demons, and think they’d better avoid it, the MESSAGE is right, so I like it. I actually MUCH prefer it to stories like Book of Kells and Coco that take Catholic imagery and tradition and strip it of all religion and sanitize it into a cultural folk tale. We skip those in our house.

I’ve got this post that has more details on what the catechism and the Bible actually say about magic: Sorcery in the Bible vs Living in a Magical World

LOVE this list! You need to add Finding Nemo to the animated section for sure!

Freaky Friday. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids 1,2,3, There is a new Netflix series called Malibu Rescue and the pilot is a good family movie for all ages. Spirit, Stallion of the Cimarons (animated).

Thank you for taking the time (it must have taken quite a while!) to make this list for us all. I’m bookmarking it for lots of use! God bless you & your family.

I’m so glad to hear that you liked Into the Spider-Verse as family viewing! I’ve been trying to get everyone I know to watch it. It’s a hidden gem.

It’s SO good. I just kept watching, waiting for them to blow the message, and they DIDN’T. I’m really impressed. Not to mention that it’s also really funny.

I’m surprised to see Harry Potter on this list for the spells in it. In any case, thank you for the list and your posts!

There are quite a few fantasy movies that include magic and spells on the list, including Harry Potter, the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Wizard of Oz, The Princess and the Frog, Beauty and the Beast, Pinocchio, Tangled, Lord of the Rings, Cinderella, and Penelope. It’s a genre we enjoy, with a long history of entertaining children and adults, and we don’t have any trouble distinguishing between fantasy stories and real life. The particular messages and lessons of each of these movies are ones I agree with.

We have enjoyed Nacho Libre and School of Rock with a 12 1/2 year old girl and 9 year old girl

We really liked (and didn’t expect to like) Finding Dory. No parents die in the story! And Dory is taught that she can learn, just differently, and she never gives up and accepts who she is! Also the octopus is my spirit animal.

The octopus, wait no, septopus, was hilarious. And the cuddle party was great. But overall I felt like all it did was give kind of mundane backstory for all the cutest, cleverest things in Finding Nemo. I didn’t really WANT those to all lose their magic. ‍♀️

Kendra you and the baby as well as your husband are always in my prayers. Kendra do your children like the Shirley Temple movies? I saw them years ago and can watch them over and over. Marion

Thank you for your prayers!

And I don’t think we’ve seen a Shirley Temple movie. That’s a fun idea.

The Bachelor and the Bobbysoxer is not the typical Shirley Temple but combines her with Cary Grant and Myrna Loy and is soooo great!

Beware of some in your face promiscuity in the scene after she cuts her hair in Les Miserables. I don’t like to watch as an adult, and would not want my kids of any age watching that part.

Thank you for the list of movies. The Yearling is another good one. Marilyn

Mary Poppins was hands down my favorite movie growing up and one I enjoy even today. I love David Tomlinson’s character I think he’s hilarious and aspire to be Mary Poppins. “Enough is as a good as a feast.”

We watched Home Alone back when VidAngel was a thing and that’s one I’m really glad have had that service for, but you’re right. My kids talk about it a lot and I always need to give that qualifier to the parents. We let the kids watch 2 sentences of The Passion of Christ (some of the Latin bits) and they talk about that movie like they’ve seen the whole thing, which is humbling for me, and I hope no one has shown it to children because of us.

I totally stole “enough is as good as a feast” from Mary Poppins! It use it on my children regularly (and on myself to be honest.)

A staple in my family as a child is It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. So many good conversations from that movie . . . Along with hilarious moments.

What are your thoughts on Nanny McPhee? Also, what do you mean by avoiding the appearance of sin?

I haven’t seen Nanny McPhee, it SEEMED like it was going to celebrate naughty behavior by children. Even if they come around in the end, I’m not sure I want to put those ideas in my kids’ heads! But someone correct me if I’m wrong. I haven’t previewed it.

As for the appearance of sin, as Christians, we have an obligation to God to avoid sin, but we also have an obligation to our fellow man to avoid the appearance of sin. If I, for instance, stay in a hotel room with a man who is not my husband, people are likely to assume that I’m having an affair. Even if I’m NOT, that appearance of sin might lead someone else to conclude that Catholics are a bunch of fakes, that no one is actually faithful to their husbands, etc. If that person abandons the faith or her marriage, well, I bear some part of responsibility for that.

In To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, it *appears* that she’s having relations in a hot tub. Since she’s considered a “nice girl” that might lead others to conclude that even “nice girls” do things like that. If it were the case that she was known to be Catholic, as my kids are, APPEARING to do that might lead other Catholics to sin.

So we should avoid actually sinning, and avoid leading others to think we are sinning. (Not to mention the fact that passionate kissing in hot tubs is pretty likely to actually lead to more-than-kissing in hot tubs, so it’s also a near occasion of sin.)

This is so late, but I love nanny McPhee! Nanny mcphee returns is honestly one of my favorite movies, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t get very excited about children’s movies. The “naughtiness” of the children is not celebrated; quite the opposite! I think you should watch! I’d love to know if your love it!

Jack’s comment about war violence in The Sound of Music made me laugh. One of my mom’s friends told her son (my age, now late 20s) that it was a war movie so he would watch it with her. He was… less than pleased.

Anne of Green Gables series with Megan Follows is one of yearly summer watches. The last one involves war scenes!

A few good musicals we love: Singing in the Rain Oklahoma Phantom of the Opera (live version) Newsies (live)

Others: The Water Horse Mary Poppins Returns The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Little Men series on Hallmark movies now is a cute show that follows widowed Jo as a runs a boarding school. (One of the early episodes involves a child dying, but the rest are not that heavy) Walt before Mickey Swiss Family Robinson Rudy

Oh, yes, Rudy! We really liked that one.

Anne of Green Gables the Megan Followe’s one. The last movie in the trilogy we never watch though because it doesn’t follow the books at all Thanks for the list we had been running out of ideas!

Some of my more mainstream favorites: 101 Dalmatians (the original animated version) – I love Pongo and Perdita! They are perhaps my favorite animated parents. Atlantis (Disney) – I thought I wasn’t going to like this and didn’t even bother for some 16 years – but I really enjoyed it. The Book Thief – The book of course was better and admittedly I wouldn’t consider it a ‘family’ film but still hits all the emotional points. Charade – My favorite thriller – much more low-key than most of the genre. Legend of the Guardians – I love the books, not sure how someone that hasn’t read them might view this movie. But the animation is gorgeous.

I also love a fair number of off-the-beaten path movies. Like Behind the Waterfall, Rigoletto, Lost in the Barrens, and Friendship’s Field.

Oh yes, we’ve watched Charade as a family. That one’s good, and North by Northwest, too.

And the Book Thief! I can’t remember why now, but I remember liking the movie more than the book. I saw the movie first, then read the book and remember being disappointed by . . . something?! That’s not very helpful.

We like the cartoon UP. A widower, little boy on a balloon ride. Good story!

What about the Disney animation, the Robinsons? Our a smart little boy who is adopted to a unique family… that one always makes me smile

The Scarlet & The Black

What about Toy story? I really like toy story 2, especially Buzz’ lines about not being a friend if he didn’t try to save woody.

Yes, those are on the list!

One of our favorites is the Disney’s underrated “Meet the Robinsons” about an orphan on the verge of 13 desperate to find a family after so many failed interviews.

Your comment about “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” reminded me of a movie I love to watch with my teens that I think manages to avoid this – “October Sky.” The viewer’s sympathy is definitely with the son, as it should be, but the father, with whom he has a troubled relationship, is portrayed sympathetically even while he is in the wrong, perhaps because he is played by the very talented Chris Cooper. But this movie is more aimed at older kids, who are definitely capable of handling the idea that not all parents support their kids as they should – after all, plenty of real life biographies (e.g. Abraham Lincoln’s father) and lives of the saints show that.

Whoa, these are great lists! The only caveat I have is that The Emperor’s New Groove is not a great one for little kids who REALLY like to pick up behavior/phrases. My husband and I recently rewatched it to see if it would be a good movie for our 4-year-old and Cuzco’s sassiness made it a hard NOPE. (Besides that factor, it’s one of our favorite movies.)

Disney’s Ratatouille is also a good one. My kiddo loved it when she was three and I still call her ‘little chef’ when she helps me in the kitchen. :o)

I remember loving Princess Bride and my very conservative, Tridentine mass-saying priest would always, hilariously, pronounce “marriage” as ”mawwiage.” I recently rewatched it and was crushed when the child used the name of Our Lord, Jesus Christ as a curse. The entertainment value is just not worth it to me. One of our favorite families movies is The War Of the Vendee from Navis Pictures. All of the acting is done by children and it is SO well done! You have to buy the dvd, but it’s worth it.

Night Crossing (an old Disney live-action movie) is excellent and made for a great family movie night for us. Eight Below was also great, but our younger kids found some parts to be scary.

Some favorites from our family with 1 7yo boy and triplet 3yo boys – Homeward Bound (kids like the sequel, I’m devoted to the original) Babe (again, original needed no improvement!) Shaun the Sheep Peanuts Movie Dolphin Tale – DO like both sequel and original Paddington Charlotte’s Web (we’ve only seen the Julia Roberts / Dakota Fanning edition) Herbie (can’t remember the details of various versions, but generally they were good) Boss Baby – surprisingly pro-life! The Bee Movie Cars 1-3 – major sacrificial love theme in Cars 3, and 1 for that matter! We also have really utilized the website Common Sense Media to spell out any concerns with the material in something we haven’t seen!

Hi Kendra, I’m a little confused why you listed The Addams Family here, but in a previous post about Halloween movies on Netflix you put it on the “ugly” list? Did you change your mind thinking it’s okay for teens now that yours are a little older? I was going to rent it at the library for my children but then figured they were too young and found some picture books about them instead. I also saw that video of a family walking out of the new animated one because it’s demonic, so I question whether I should introduce the Addams family at all now via books. Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

Hah! I’m sorry for the confusion. I didn’t remember having mentioned it before! In that older post, I was reporting a different site’s review of the (90s live action) Addams Family movie. They claim it has “strong sexual content” which, having seen it more recently now, seems to me like an exaggeration. Noises are made. The noises are awkward. But the actual situation seems more innocent to me than Common Sense Media’s take. You can see the scene for yourself here: https://youtu.be/LyXbfGyM2IE

Other than that, I think it’s a movie about a big, weird, loving family. We showed it at a seventh grade movie night two years ago, and the kids didn’t seem scandalized.

I can’t vouch for the new animated one, I haven’t seen it.

Keep checking this list when we are at a loss – great list! Have you ever seen “The Fighting Sullivans”? Our kids love that one and good for all ages. 🙂

My sister has followed you for years and years, but this is my first time on. Our seven children range in age from 22-14, but two family favorites for many, many years are The Fighting Sullivans and The Quiet Man. Both have ‘issues’ that might deter some families, so look up online reviews first.

Hi. I found this site browsing google family friendly film recommendations. Just thought I’d throw in my 2 cents. 2001: A Space Odyssey is a classic science fiction movie that you did not mention. And, it was on a list of films the Vatican endorsed. You probably know all this, but perhaps you have your own reasons not to show it to the family. I sent some links regarding this film and the Vatican, and a list films approved by the Vatican on Wikipedia. (you probably already have this list)

Be healthy, be well, best to you and the family!

https://www.amc.com/talk/2007/06/the-vatican-lik

https://catholicleader.com.au/uncategorized/2001-a-space-odyssey_46652

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican%27s_list_of_films

I did the same thing with Monty Python (skipping the risque parts). My son could not understand why his high school history teacher would not let them watch the movie in class at the end of the year.

You have changed the way I look at The Little Mermaid. It was one of “my” movies growing up, but I see your point and agree. It has me questioning ALL my movies now! I realize (to some degree) families will vary with what works for them—maturity, age, circumstances, etc. I am very curious why Tangled makes the grade when Mermaid, The Brave, and Coco does not. Even though “Mother” Gothel kidnapped Rapunzel, she does not realize that until much later. Rapunzel premeditates her escape to see the lights, lies to her “mother,” and continues to the lights even after Gothel finds her. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy Rapunzel; I am just curious what you would say about her disobedience.

I know, right?!

As to the distinction between Little Mermaid, Brave, and Coco vs Rapunzel . . . The first three feature parents making reasonable parenting decisions that they have the authority to make. The disobeying/running away/doing it anyway/parents come to understand that they were wrong trope is just a ridiculous thing for me to encourage as a mother.

However, that’s not what happens in Rapunzel. Human beings have a natural and reasonable desire for natural and reasonable freedoms. Even though she doesn’t know that Mother Gothel isn’t her real mother, her captivity is not a reasonable parenting decision, nor is the manipulation Mother Gothel uses to try to keep her subjugated. Even though part of it seems like teenage rebellion and running off with a cute boy, which would be bad, I explain it to my kids as heroic that she’s able to recognize her own abuse and escape from it.

Rapunzel has to fight against her desire to be obedient to the person she thinks is her mother, but it’s a very good thing that she trusts her gut and leaves. (Also, isn’t she already 18? Or about to turn 18 anyway, so she’s an adult and can leave!) It’s a lot different than the Ariel, “But, Daddy I love him!” plot. Ariel had a loving dad, she could have accomplished her goals in a better way. Rapunzel didn’t have another option.

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Hi! I’m Kendra.

For twenty years now, I’ve been using food, prayer, and conversation based around the liturgical calendar to share the lives of the saints and the beautiful truths and traditions of our Catholic faith. My own ten children, our friends and neighbors, and people just like you have been on this journey with me.

If you’d like to learn more about what Catholics believe and why, and to be inspired by saints from every era all over the world, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the prospect of how to teach your kids about the faith in a way that’s true, engaging, and lasts a lifetime, we can help!

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Your guide for Catholic movies and shows to watch on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime

Last updated: May 1, 2020

With tens of thousands of movies and television shows available on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, it can be difficult to find content that engages the Catholic imagination. America has compiled a list to help you find all the Catholic entertainment you’ve been looking for but didn’t know was there.

This list of streaming movies and series contains side-splitting Catholic comedians, documentaries depicting holy people, serious films that reckon with the sexual abuse crisis, horror movies about exorcisms, shows about teenagers attending Catholic school, animated movies for children and more.

Disclaimer: Not all the content listed here takes its Catholic themes as seriously as others.

Silence Set in the 17th century, this film follows two Jesuit priests as they leave Portugal to find their missing mentor and spread the Gospel in Japan. Watch on Cracker .

First Reformed A minister at First Reformed church faces isolation after the death of his son and tries to find solace in the theology of Thomas Merton and G.K. Chesterton. Watch on Amazon Prime Video .

The Man in the Iron Mask (1998) During the reign of King Louis XIV of France, a musketeer is instructed to track down and kill the leader of the Jesuits. Watch on Amazon Prime Video .

The Irishman Hit man Frank Sheeran looks back at the secrets he kept as a loyal member of the Bufalino crime family in this acclaimed film from Martin Scorsese. Plus, this film features our own Fr. James Martin, SJ! Watch on Netflix.

True Confessions A "film noir" look at two brothers—one an ambitious priest (Robert DeNiro) and one a world-weary cop (Robert Duvall)—who find their lives and careers intertwining in the aftermath of a grisly murder in Los Angeles. Watch on Amazon Prime .

Jane the Virgin Jane has been accidentally artificially inseminated, hilarity ensues in this telenovela-styled dramedy. Keep an eye out for Jane’s abuela praying the rosary and the Catholic sisters selling merch for this “miracle” pregnancy. Watch on Netflix .

American Vandal: Season 2 The second installment of this true-crime parody investigates laxative-tainted lemonade at a Catholic high school. Watch on Netflix .

The Good Place Eleanor was not a good person, but can she improve herself after death? Watch on Netflix and Hulu .

The Borgias This series follows the Borgia family’s entanglements in the Vatican and beyond during the Renaissance. Watch on Netflix .

Fleabag The show follows its titular heroine, a 30-something café owner, as she attempts to navigate life in contemporary London while coping with the recent death of her best friend and business partner. Watch on Amazon Prime Video.

Pope Francis Flix

Pope Francis: A Man of His Word This documentary follows Pope Francis’s papacy. Watch on Netflix .

The Francis Effect This documentary looks closely at how Pope Francis is changing the church and the world. Watch on Amazon Prime.

The Two Popes At a key turning point for the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI forms a surprising friendship with the future Pope Francis. Inspired by true events. Watch on Netflix.

Catholic Horror

The Exorcist This classic 1973 movie, inspired by real events, still haunts viewers today. Rent on Amazon Prime .

The Rite A priest attends exorcism training at the Vatican and faces his demons, literally. Rent on Amazon Prime.

Hostage to the Devil A priest illicitly performs exorcisms. Watch on Netflix .

Sexual Abuse and the Catholic Church

The Keepers This Netflix original is a true-crime documentary that explores the mysterious and tragic murder of a religious sister in Baltimore nearly five decades ago. Watch on Netflix .

The Boys of St. Vincent Based on real events, this drama depicts the road from abuse to discovery and escape for the young residents of a Roman Catholic orphanage in Canada. Watch on Amazon Prime Video .

Documentaries

Footprints: the Path of Your Life Ten young men and a Catholic priest walk the Camino de Santiago. Watch on Netflix .

Saints and Sinners: The History of the Popes This six part series looks at the legacy of the popes from Peter to John Paul II. Watch on Amazon Prime Video .

Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the fall of Communism This is biographical documentary focuses on St. John Paul II’s role in resisting Communism in Poland and later as pope. Rent on Amazon Prime Video.

Catholic Coming of Age Stories

Lady Bird Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson challenges the status quo at her all girls Catholic high school— and in her own home. Watch on Amazon Prime Video .

Derry Girls Set in Ireland during the 1990s, the biggest troubles for 16-year-old Erin Quinn and her friends are avoiding exams, making some cash and trying to be cool. Watch on Netflix .

Saints and Holy People

Romero This classic biopic of the recently canonized Archbishop Oscar Romero is anchored by a commanding performance by Raul Julia. Watch on Amazon Prime Video .

Juana Ines This Netflix original series gives new life to the story of a 17th century Catholic sister and her contributions to literature. Watch on Netflix .

Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story From her less-saintly days to the founding of the Catholic Worker, this movie depicts the life of Servant of God Dorothy Day—starring Moira Kelly and Martin Sheen. Watch on Amazon Prime Video .

The Jewish Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger was a Catholic cardinal of Jewish heritage. He boldly opposed and protested the construction of a convent on the grounds of Auschwitz. Watch on Amazon Prime Video .

Molokai This story of St. Damian of Molokai and his ministry to lepers on a remote Hawaiian island boasts an impressive supporting cast, including Peter O’Toole, Derek Jacobi and Kris Kristofferson. Watch on Amazon Prime Video .

Veggie Tales This Sunday school classic is great for kids of all ages. Watch on Netflix .

The Prince of Egypt This musical adaptation from Dreamworks tells the story of Moses from Exodus. Watch on Hulu.

Joseph: King of Dreams Another biblical adaptation from Dreamworks, this movie musical follows the story of Joseph from Genesis. Watch on Netflix .

Catholic Comedy

Jim Gaffigan There are many stand up routines to stream from this beloved Catholic comedian (and guest on Faith in Focus with Jim Martin ). Watch Cinco , Mr. Universe , Beyond the Pale , Obsessed and King Baby on Netflix . Watch Noble Ape on Amazon Prime Video .

Holy Goalies A group of monks form a soccer to team to win money and save their monastery. Watch on Netflix .

Kathleen Madigan From an Irish Catholic family this comedian knows how to joke about Jesus. Watch Bothering Jesus on Netflix . Watch Gone Madigan on Amazon Prime Video . Watch Madigan Again on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video .

John Mulaney A graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago and Georgetown University, Mulaney has won critical accolades for his quick-witted and often self-deprecating standup specials. Watch “Kid Gorgeous at Radio City” on Netflix.

The Little Hours Three less-than-perfect nuns living in a medieval convent take in a runaway, debauchery ensues. Watch on Netflix .

Thanks for this list of Catholic-centered television programming, and for the disclaimer that not all of the programming takes its "Catholic themes as seriously as others." Separating the wheat from the chaff may be a worthwhile effort ;)

Henry Poole is Here would also be a good Catholic film to watch.

Jane the Virgin is missing from this list. I find the idea of a modern Virgin Mary very smart and refreshing!

Are any of these shows any good? I've watched Amar, Akbar and Tony, a season of The Churchmen, and most of the one season of One Day at a Time. At the beginning I had hope but as I watched all of them I was mostly disappointed because they tended to make fun of Catholicism, ignore it, or portray it as something overly bureaucratic. Where is the beauty, goodness, and truth?

I'd respectfully suggest that "Daredevil," featuring the very Catholic Matthew Murdock would be a worthy inclusion in this list.

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The best movies I watched in 2023

By Thomas V. Mirus ( bio - articles - email ) | Jan 23, 2024

In the past, I’ve listed my favorite films I saw for the first time in the last year along with my books in the article on that topic . This time, I have decided to give the movies their own article for the sake of space.

As you may know, I co-host Criteria: The Catholic Film Podcast with James Majewski. In the past year we finished our 3-year journey through the 1995 Vatican Film List, and then moved on to consider other works. Some of the films I mention here are from the Vatican film list or otherwise covered on the podcast, and in those cases I will link to the relevant episode—but most of the films on this list are movies I watched on my own.

Watch at your own risk; make a habit of doing your own research when it comes to content (I find the IMBD parents’ guide useful).

Religious films

Natalia . The only film on my list that was actually released in 2023, this (not Padre Pio ) was the Catholic film event of the year. But few as yet know it, because it’s just been on the festival circuit, not yet having found a distributor for wider release. Natalia is a raw and mesmerizing documentary about religious discernment, following a spunky young Byzantine Catholic nun during the months leading up to her final profession. (You may be familiar with the film’s protagonist, Mother Natalia, because of her numerous appearances on Matt Fradd’s podcast Pints with Aquinas.)

Rather than being a talking-heads infodump, Natalia is squarely in arthouse doc territory with beautiful black-and-white photography, and the absence of voiceover or direct interviews makes it feel more like a drama. I had the privilege of hosting a screening of Natalia at my apartment, and recording an interview with director Elizabeth Mirzaei (which we are waiting to publish until the general public is able to see the film).

I’m quite excited for more people to see this film eventually…In the meantime, you might check out the touching Oscar-nominated short film Mirzaei co-directed with her husband, Three Songs for Benazir , on Netflix.

The Miracle Maker . This little-known animated Gospel film with Ralph Fiennes as the voice of Jesus, which we discussed on Criteria , could merit a place in any Christian family’s Easter viewing. Its beautifully crafted mix of stop-motion and traditional 2D animation engages the imagination without dominating it in a way that live-action cinema can’t.

It’s also a masterful piece of adaptation, compressing the story of Christ into 88 minutes. It somehow retains the compactness of the Gospel accounts, yet feels fleshed out by subtle touches and connections within the existing material rather than overmuch invention.

Ordet ( The Word ). Included on the Vatican film list along with The Passion of Joan of Arc by the same director, Ordet is based on a play by the Lutheran priest Kaj Munk, who was later martyred by the Gestapo. The film centers on the Borgen family, land-owning farmers in a small village in Denmark. The patriarch, Morton Borgen, is a religious man, but his oldest son Mikkel has lost his faith, while his second son Johannes, while studying theology, has gone mad and believes he is Jesus Christ Himself.

Ordet can be viewed as a provocative critique of a modern Christianity that no longer believes in miracles. Its astonishing conclusion throws down the gauntlet, forcing us to consider what it really means to have faith.

The Thin Red Line . Terrence Malick’s comeback after two decades away from moviemaking was, in my opinion, both his first masterpiece and his first full-on religious film. It’s a war movie, but really more about finding the beauty of existence in the midst of chaos, suffering and evil. Many Catholics became more aware of Malick after he covered a saint in his 2019 A Hidden Life . If you haven’t seen The Thin Red Line or if Malick hasn’t piqued your interest yet, let Jim Caviezel’s breakout role entice you.

Rome, Open City . Filmed in Rome just after its liberation from the Nazis, while the rest of Italy was still at war, Roberto Rossellini’s film documents a unique moment in the history of the Eternal City. Catholicism is central to the film, with Aldo Fabrizi playing one of the great heroic movie priests, almost an Italian counterpart to the one in On the Waterfront .

Apocalypto . Is this a religious film? Well, it’s a film in which religion plays an important part, though that religion is decidedly not Catholicism. Set in Mesoamerica immediately before first contact with the Spanish, Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto features a protagonist from a small forest tribe who is captured by Mayans for the purpose of human sacrifice (depicted as the mass-scale brutality it was) and must try to escape back to his family. Gibson’s depiction of Mesoamerican peoples is sensitive and sympathetic but not PC. Rather than a triumphalistic depiction of evil, Gibson wanted this film to make us reflect on the decadence of the modern West and in particular the American Empire. The film is about a culture of death not unlike our own. It’s a stunningly ambitious recreation of a lost civilization, but also a thoroughly entertaining chase movie.

Films of conscience

Schindler’s List . This masterpiece by Steven Spielberg conveys something of the horror of the Holocaust in a way that is honest without feeling the need to traumatize the viewer. More importantly, it offers a real spiritual challenge which will especially resonate with those who wish to give everything to God.

La Promesse ( The Promise ). A Belgian teen whose father both helps and exploits illegal immigrants is faced with a crisis of conscience when one of them dies on the job and his father covers it up. A beautiful drama shot in documentary style by the Dardenne brothers.

Ikiru ( To Live ). Director Akira Kurosawa is better known for samurai films like Seven Samurai and Rashomon , but his story of an elderly bureaucrat who decides his life finally needs to bear some fruit moved me more than any other Kurosawa film I’ve seen.

Japanese animation

Spirited Away and The Wind Rises . This year I made a point of beginning to explore the films of Hayao Miyazaki, Japan’s equivalent to Walt Disney (but better). Miyazaki says , “If you go out looking for something shameful or vulgar, then finding it in this society is one of the easiest things imaginable. I thought it might be better to express in an honest way that what is good is good, what is pretty is pretty, and what is beautiful is beautiful.”

British classics

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp . During the second world war, an elderly major-general reminisces about his military and romantic career. As we move from the Boer War to the Great War to WWII, we gain respect for a character who at first seemed somewhat ridiculous. This movie deals with three or four major themes at once without ever feeling bloated, and the color is amazing for 1943.

The Third Man . This ultra-atmospheric noir has been voted the greatest British film ever. Sinister evocations of postwar Vienna. Written by Graham Greene with the famous “cuckoo clock” monologue added by Orson Welles.

American classics

My Darling Clementine . One of John Ford’s loveliest Westerns, though I don’t hear it mentioned as often as The Searchers or The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance . “Have you ever been in love?” “No, I’ve been a bartender all my life.”

In a Lonely Place . What at first seems to be a normal noir crime story ends up being about the breakdown of a relationship. Classic Humphrey Bogart performance.

Indian cinema

This is a new area of exploration for me. Most people think Indian cinema means Bollywood, but that term applies only to the Hindi film industry. Indian movies are highly regional and there are several different industries according to language group—thus I have barely scratched the surface.

Pyaasa . Starring and directed by Guru Dutt in 1957, this is considered one of the classics of Hindi cinema (and the only Hindi film I’ve seen). It’s a musical, a love story, and a spiritual journey of a down-and-out poet. It ends with surprising spiritual force and has a couple of songs I find highly moving. You can see it on YouTube .

Jumping to the present day and a different region of India, we have the Malayalam film industry, based in Kerala, which is where most of India’s Catholics live. One of the chief directors of the so-called “Malayalam New Wave” is Lijo Jose Pellissery, most of whose films are set in Catholic communities. Nicknamed the “Master of Chaos” because of his off-the-chain crowd scenes, Pellissery works at a level of cinematic craft that puts contemporary Hollywood to shame. We featured him on Criteria: The Catholic Film Podcast , and I’ll recommend two of his films here:

Jallikattu . An off-the-wall action movie about villagers trying to chase down an escaped bull—framed within quotations from the book of Revelation which seem to indicate that the bull represents Satan.

Ee.Ma.Yau . The title refers to the names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph invoked in the ears of a dead person lying in state; the movie is about a son struggling to provide a good funeral for his father, but constantly being frustrated by his own limits. You can watch this one on YouTube .

Switching over to the Telugu-language film industry: RRR . This was a worldwide hit in 2022 and is the third-highest grossing Indian film of all time. It won the Oscar for best original song. RRR is a period film very loosely based on two heroes of the Indian independence movement, who are essentially treated as superheroes. “Friendship between opposites” is the theme, as explicitly laid out by the awesome title song (the title, by the way, doesn’t appear until 40 minutes into the movie). The story is from a Hindu perspective and the British are cartoonishly villainous. I can’t stress enough how incredibly entertaining this movie is.

Blade Runner . I can’t say that the story made a deep impression on me, but it is a masterpiece of visual concept and atmosphere.

Minority Report . For some reason I never thought of Spielberg as a genre director, but after watching this it finally clicked me that this guy is a master of conceptual sci-fi. While A . I . is depressing and nihilistic (seriously, the ending of that film messed me up), Minority Report offers a clear defense of free will against psychological and environmental determinism.

Short films

Who cares about short films, really? Well actually, anyone who regularly spends time on YouTube. But these are movies, not “content”. I have linked to some of them on YouTube, but the video quality is inferior to what you will find on the Criterion Channel streaming service.

Films by Abbas Kiarostami. This Iranian director was one of the greats of world cinema. His early career in the 70s was under the employ of the Center for the Education of Children in Tehran, where he made many short films either for or about children. The Colors is a very simple film educating small children about colors—but it is beautiful and becomes more conceptually clever as it goes on. Bread and Alley is a delightful short about a little boy carrying some bread home and encountering a hungry dog that blocks his path. The Traveler , a bit darker and not for kids to watch, is about a delinquent 12-year-old who will do anything to make it to attend a major soccer match 150 miles from his village.

Films by Mark Lewis. This Australian director specialized in documentaries about animals—specifically about people’s relationships with them. All are shot in a highly creative and dramatic way, with the interview subjects reenacting their experiences, with often-hilarious results. I recommend Cane Toads : An Unnatural History and Rats .

Films by John and Faith Hubley. This husband-and-wife team were central to American independent animation. John worked for Disney but quit out of creative frustration; he and his wife promised each other they would make at least one creative project together per year, and ended up winning multiple Oscars for their animated shorts. There are many I haven’t seen yet, but I recommend The Hole (Oscar-winner), Urbanissimo , The Tender Game .

Thomas V. Mirus is Director of Podcasts for CatholicCulture.org, hosts The Catholic Culture Podcast, and co-hosts Criteria: The Catholic Film Podcast. See full bio.

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Ikiru is sublime. Have you yet seen "Living" the "reamke" of this story? It too is masterful but in a different key.

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Top 10 movies for Catholics now on Netflix

Sometimes, you just need a movie night with your spouse, or your friends, or yourself, and if you’re at all like my husband and me (okay, mostly me…), you’d prefer not to spend a dime on it, beyond your Netflix subscription fee.

But what’s good on Netflix? What’s entertaining? And especially when it comes to those lesser-known offerings, like Netflix originals, what doesn’t make you feel like you need a shower — or a good confession — after you’ve watched it? Here are a few selections that can keep a Netflix movie night humming along…

Trouble with the Curve

Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams in a father/daughter/baseball flick. A fairly light PG-13 rating with only some language and some brief traumatic back-story material; a pretty uplifting story on the whole. Read full review here .

The Impossible

Drama/thriller about a family on vacation in Thailand when the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami hit. They struggle through the terrible aftermath and must beat all odds to find one another in the chaos. Very compelling, though a bit grisly at times. Rated PG-13 for those grisly, frightening elements.

Masterminds

Often hilarious, if pretty dumb, comedy starring Kristen Wiig, Zach Galifianakis, and Owen Wilson about some stupid southerners who decide to commit a huge robbery. Rated PG-13 for language and a refreshingly sparse amount of sexual humor.

War Machine

Netflix original movie starring Brad Pitt, about a general who is given the impossible task of winning the war in Afghanistan. While the movie doesn’t fit neatly into any one specific genre, it is at times funny, exciting, and deep. Rated M, mostly for language, as well as some war-violence. Read full review here .

Deidra and Laney Rob a Train

Netflix original movie about a teen who decides to take desperate measures in order to support herself and her two younger siblings when their mom lands in prison. A well-done and entertaining coming-of-age story without too many moral issues, it’s rated TV-14 mostly for language.

The latest Star Wars movie, a must-watch for the sci-fi geek and not too bad for those of us that aren’t huge fans of the genre. Features a surprisingly awesome female protagonist. Rated PG-13 for violence, with one instance of killing that felt a little morally cringe-worthy. Read full review here .

The Fundamentals of Caring

A Netflix original movie about a guy with some past demons who takes a job as a caregiver to a handicapped teen; the two end up setting off on a road-trip of self-discovery. Often hilarious (sometimes with pretty black humor), somewhat sweet. Rated M, mostly for language issues, though there’s also occasional brief sexual dialogue.

2016 Oscar winner, about the priest abuse scandal in the Church. If not exactly a lighthearted or fun watch, it is a decent and surprisingly well-rounded portrayal of the Church in a difficult past time, and it’s pretty worthwhile for Catholics to watch and know about. Read full review here .

The Prestige

A Christopher Nolan-directed, Christian Bale-starring mystery about an 1800s British magician and his arch-rival. Very compelling, but a bit grisly. Rated PG-13 for violence and disturbing images, though there’s also some brief sexuality.

Pirates of the Caribbean

The Curse of the Black Pearl: The Pirates movie that started it all. A must-see if you somehow haven’t watched it yet, and in my opinion worth the re-watch if you already have. Rated PG-13 for violence, in addition to a couple of mildly suggestive instances.

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Emilia Jones stars in a scene from the movie "CODA," premiering Aug. 13, 2021, on Apple TV+.

Top 10 best movies and family films of 2021

NEW YORK (CNS) — The year just past saw the film industry tentatively working its way back from the nearly paralyzed state into which it had been thrown by the coronavirus pandemic.

It remains to be seen, however, when — or, indeed, if — things will return to something resembling pre-COVID-19 normal for Hollywood.

Below, in alphabetical order, are capsule reviews of the Top 10 movies overall and seven of the best family films of 2021 as selected by the Media Review Office of Catholic News Service.

With regard to titles in the second category, except as indicated, the Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Top 10 overall:

In “Belfast,” writer-director Kenneth Branagh uses the perspective of a 9-year-old boy (Jude Hill) to examine the effects of the sectarian strife that swept across Northern Ireland at the end of the 1960s. As the lad’s father (Jamie Dornan) resists pressure to join in the violence, his mother (Caitríona Balfe) struggles to keep him and his older brother (Lewis McAskie) safe and morally grounded. A sensitive exploration of the plight of decent people surrounded by malignant bigotry, this moving drama is also a celebration of romantic love, including that uniting the protagonist’s grandparents (Judi Dench and Ciarán Hinds).

The challenges of being the only hearing member of a close-knit family are movingly explored in the drama “CODA,” the title of which is an acronym for child of deaf adults. The 17-year-old scion (Emilia Jones) of a working-class fishing clan (rounded out by parents Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur and older brother Daniel Durant) in Gloucester, Massachusetts, struggles to decide whether she should try to get into a prestigious music college or stay at home where she has always served as her relatives’ interpreter. Writer-director Sian Heder’s high-quality coming-of-age story is both authentic and insightful.

Adapted from his play by director and co-writer Florian Zeller, the drama “The Father” portrays the difficulties resulting from dementia in an innovative way. Anthony Hopkins turns in a skillfully understated performance as a man in his 80s whose mental confusion — Olivia Colman plays one of the women he takes for his daughter — keeps the viewer off-balance as well. Zeller and his script partner Christopher Hampton courageously delve into moral depths and lay bare family relationships.

The vibrant musical “In the Heights” charts the efforts of a youthful New York bodega owner (Anthony Ramos) to return to his native Dominican Republic, the scene of his idealized childhood, and the effect of this “little dream” on — among others — the aspiring fashion designer (Melissa Barrera) for whom he’s fallen. Director Jon M. Chu’s sweeping adaptation of composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway hit also follows the parallel romance linking the protagonist’s best friend (Corey Hawkins) with a gifted college student (Leslie Grace) and introduces a variety of neighborhood characters while touching on themes of racial dignity and the plight of immigrants.

“Judas and the Black Messiah” is a compelling fact-based drama, set in the late 1960s, in which a Chicago car thief (Lakeith Stanfield) facing a long prison term agrees to infiltrate the local chapter of the Black Panther Party and supply information to an FBI agent (Jesse Plemons) about its charismatic chairman, Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya). Working from a script he co-wrote with Will Berson, debuting director Shaka King skillfully maintains interest in this personality-rich study of conflicted loyalties and in the budding romance between Hampton and one of his followers (Dominique Fishback). The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

A vivid performance from Will Smith as the father of future tennis greats Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and Serena (Demi Singleton) Williams energizes the intriguing fact-based sports drama “King Richard.” By turns determined and, as the nickname of the title suggests, domineering, with the help of his dedicated wife (Aunjanue Ellis), he overcomes long odds to fulfill his dream of making his daughters world-renowned champions. Director Reinaldo Marcus Green’s film highlights the value of persistence, humility, self-discipline and good parenting.

Set in the 1980s, and loosely based on the childhood experiences of writer-director Lee Isaac Chung, “Minari,” a gentle mix of drama and comedy, explores the immigrant experience from a Korean-American perspective while also charting the struggles and triumphs of family life. An aspiring produce farmer (Steven Yeun), his wife (Yeri Han) and their two children (Alan Kim and Noel Kate Cho) move from California to rural Arkansas where the tensions of their new life inspire constant bickering. So, too, does the presence of the children’s maternal grandmother (Yuh-jung Youn) after she joins the household to help look after them.

A sense of loneliness pervades the poignant drama “Nomadland.” Frances McDormand gives a bravura performance as a working-class widow from a failed factory town who takes to the road in search of seasonal employment, becoming part of a subculture of marginalized sojourners who move from one trailer park to the next in their struggle to evade economic ruin. Drawing on journalist Jessica Bruder’s 2017 book, writer-director Chloe Zhao highlights how momentary encounters and emotional connection help to relieve the cycle of menial labor and anxiety for the future her vulnerable but resilient protagonist endures. (R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or guardian.)

Action, humor and drama are skillfully combined in “ Spider-Man: No Way Home, ” the lavish final installment of a trilogy of films starring Tom Holland as the Marvel Comics superhero. When the revelation of his identity as Peter Parker and a raging public debate about his true intentions have an adverse effect on the lives of both his girlfriend (Zendaya) and his best pal (Jacob Batalon), Spidey turns to sorcerer Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) for help. But the latter’s spell goes awry, with potentially dire consequences. Returning director Jon Watts serves up giddy visuals and high-budget special effects as his movie explores themes of altruism, moral decision making and the desire for revenge.

“West Side Story,” the splendid second film version of the classic 1957 Broadway musical, charts the romance of its modern-day Romeo and Juliet, Manhattan slum dwellers Tony (Ansel Elgort) and Maria (Rachel Zegler), and their effort to cross the ethnic divide that separates them, a division embodied and intensified by the escalating feud between the white gang to which he belongs (led by Mike Faist) and the Hispanic one headed by her brother (David Alvarez). By turns celebratory and heartbreaking, director Steven Spielberg and screenwriter Tony Kushner’s masterful enhancement of an already brilliant work proves captivating.

Best family films:

The cheerful, lively biopic “American Underdog” traces the initial challenges and eventual rise to stardom of NFL quarterback Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi). In recounting how the ex-college player found his way back onto the traditional gridiron via arena football, overcoming personal problems and falling for a previously married former Marine corporal (Anna Paquin) along the way, screenwriter David Aaron Cohen and directing brothers Andrew and Jon Erwin touch only lightly on their protagonist’s well-publicized evangelical beliefs, focusing instead on the mechanics of the game. But they avoid a preachy tone while keeping things generally wholesome. The Catholic News Service classification is A-II — adults and adolescents.

“Encanto” is a vivacious animated musical about a teen girl (voice of Stephanie Beatriz) living in an enchanted enclave in Colombia with her strong-willed grandmother (voice of María Cecilia Botero) and protective parents (voices of Angie Cepeda and Wilmer Valderrama) as well as other members of her family, many of them endowed with a supernatural talent. Amid colorful visuals and catchy songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the script — penned by Charise Castro Smith and Jared Bush (both of whom co-directed with Byron Howard) — delivers worthy messages about community service, cooperation and family reconciliation. But a strong emphasis on magic may be of concern to some parents. (A-II)

Filmmakers Jonathan Cipiti and Megan Harrington’s inspirational hourlong documentary “The House That Rob Built” profiles longtime University of Montana women’s basketball coach Robin Selvig. A former college player kept from becoming a professional by a knee injury, Selvig began coaching in 1978 at a time when female squads weren’t even recognized by the NCAA. Over the four decades that followed, he not only amassed a winning record but, more significantly, wielded a positive influence over the lives of many students, both on and off the court. Former players movingly recall his impact, making this an upbeat biography that’s also suitable for family viewing. The Catholic News Service classification is A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

In the animated fantasy “Luca,” the timid young sea monster of the title (voice of Jacob Tremblay), who lives off the coast of Liguria, discovers that he is transformed into a preteen boy when on dry land, befriends a more daring shape-shifter (voice of Jack Dylan Grazer) in the same situation as well as a strictly human local girl (voice of Emma Berman) and together the trio enters a triathlon, hoping to defeat the arrogant bully (voice of Saverio Raimondo) who has long dominated the event. Director Enrico Casarosa’s film is a winsome tale full of charm and Italian flair. Too complicated for tots, who might also be frightened, it’s acceptable for all others. (A-I)

Adapted from the Nickelodeon cartoon series, “PAW Patrol: The Movie” follows the exploits of a rescue crew of puppies led by a preteen boy (voice of Will Brisbin). As they once again take on the egotistical politician (voice of Ron Pardo) who has long been their nemesis, they’re aided by a newcomer to the team, an enthusiastic dachshund (voice of Marsai Martin), but hindered by the self-doubts troubling the German shepherd who serves as their policeman (voice of Iain Armitage). Director and co-writer Cal Brunker serves up a breezy, tenderhearted adventure with built-in lessons about the nature of heroism and the value of cooperation. (A-I) The Motion Picture Association rating is G — general audiences. All Ages Admitted.

In “Raya and the Last Dragon,” a teen (voice of Kelly Marie Tran) teams with the creature of the title (voice of Awkwafina) to defeat the dark force that has brought turmoil to her once-tranquil world and turned many of its inhabitants into stone statues. The duo is aided, on their quest, by a young mariner (voice of Izaac Wang) and a fearsome but good-hearted warrior (voice of Benedict Wong). Co-directed by Don Hall and Carlos Lopez Estrada, this lively and colorful animated adventure promotes trust of adversaries and showcases the ills produced by greed and aggression. Some quasi-religious behavior might confuse impressionable youngsters. (A-II)

“Ron’s Gone Wrong” is an endearing animated comedy in which a socially isolated middle schooler (voice of Jack Dylan Grazer) yearns for the robot toy that has become a status symbol among his classmates. But, when he receives one as a birthday gift from his cash-strapped, widowed dad (voice of Ed Helms) and Bulgarian immigrant grandmother (voice of Olivia Colman), it turns out to be a damaged model (voice of Zach Galifianakis) that he initially spurns — though he eventually learns to appreciate the affection and sunny good nature underlying the eccentricities of his quirky new companion. Co-directors Sarah Smith, Jean-Philippe Vine and Octavio E. Rodriguez’s film wreaks entertaining chaos while sending positive messages about friendship, altruism and the need to resist both peer pressure and mindless consumerism. (A-I)

Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.

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The good catholic, common sense media reviewers.

Romantic dramedy about young priest has strong language.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

The movie's primary message seems to be about

Every character seems to be doing the best he or s

Suggestive scenes that always stop short of kissin

Many uses of "s--t"; also one "f---

Brands (like Golden Corral and other fast-food com

Adults have wine with dinner.

Positive Messages

The movie's primary message seems to be about finding your bliss. But the path there -- and the results for those who try -- are muddied, making it less effective. Viewers of faith may appreciate the messages in the movie's sermons and biblical references.

Positive Role Models

Every character seems to be doing the best he or she can, despite individual limitations. Three of the four main characters are clergymen; all have taken that path in order to help people.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Suggestive scenes that always stop short of kissing.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Many uses of "s--t"; also one "f---ing," plus "a--face," "son of a bitch," and "d--k." Some may object to the film's clergy characters using such language.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Brands (like Golden Corral and other fast-food companies) are mentioned but not overtly promoted.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Good Catholic is about an idealistic young priest faced with a choice between his calling and what might be true love. It's a romantic dramedy, but it tackles faith-based questions. While there isn't any violence, and both sex and drinking are extremely minimal, there is a fair amount of language, including one "f---ing." Other words run the gamut from "s--t" to "d--k"; some viewers might find any strong language objectionable coming from priests. The movie also characterizes clergymen as real, flawed human beings, which could be an issue for some. But they're all striving to do their best and help others. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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Community Reviews

Parents say (3)
Kids say (1)

Based on 3 parent reviews

Thought provoking

Very emotional, what's the story.

In THE GOOD CATHOLIC, idealistic young priest Daniel (Zachary Spicer) falls for a troubled visitor to his confessional. Jane ( Wrenn Schmidt ) is a charming, quick-witted nonconformist musician who claims to be dying. Her repeated appearances in Daniel's booth quickly progress past a religious rite into a blossoming friendship that's clearly headed for more. When Daniel can't contain his growing feelings, he seeks help from his fellow clergymen: stern Victor ( Danny Glover ) and eccentric Ollie ( John C. McGinley ).

Is It Any Good?

This dramedy offers a gentle look at a dedicated young priest's struggle with strong romantic feelings. The Good Catholic fares well in the company of the charming Jane; Schmidt handles her character's snarky wit and impassioned singing well, while also showing Jane's growing emotions. Her dialogue sometimes smacks of eternal meet-cute, but Schmidt sells it with the right swirl of sass: "You're a priest, I'm dying; I totally get it. But under different circumstances, we're totally dating right now." Veteran McGinley, as basketball- and fast-food-loving Ollie, gets most of the laughs, while also convincingly grounding his freewheeling clergyman in humanism. Glover offers grounding as authority figure Victor. But it's Spicer's movie as Daniel, and in his first feature lead (he also co-produced), he delivers. His Daniel is likable without being overly sweet. He holds the screen alongside McGinley and Glover, and his chemistry with Schmidt works.

All of that said, the film doesn't bring the goods, either philosophically or theologically. It's structured around homilies by each of the clergymen, but their messages are muddled. The central question of why a priest as dedicated as Daniel should either be denied happiness in love or be defrocked is never addressed. Rather, it's taken as given, so the film instead tries to convey a largely internal struggle without windows into Daniel's thinking. At the climactic dinner party, you have to wonder what Daniel expected to happen -- or why he set that situation up in the first place. Perhaps the filmmakers thought that topic (questioning the discipline of celibacy) too volatile for a romantic dramedy, though it has certainly been explored before (think Keeping the Faith or The Thorn Birds ). The script, by director Shoulberg, both hits and misses with character quirks and occasionally forced dialogue, but The Good Catholic 's sins are mostly forgivable.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about who The Good Catholic is intended to appeal to. Do you think only audiences of faith will appreciate it, or does it have something to offer lay audiences as well? How do you think the intended audience affects the filmmaking process?

Does the film present the clergy in ways that surprised you? Do you think it was fair to clergy, or do you think it made light of the institution?

What was the central problem for Daniel? Why couldn't he continue to do his job and be with Jane? What choice did he seem to make at the end? Why do you think that, and what did you think of his choice?

Movie Details

In theaters : September 8, 2017
On DVD or streaming : October 24, 2017
Cast : Zachary Spicer , John C. McGinley , Danny Glover
Director : Paul Shoulberg
Inclusion Information : Black actors
Studio : Broad Green Pictures
Genre : Comedy
Run time : 96 minutes
MPAA rating : PG-13
MPAA explanation : language including a sexual reference
Last updated : June 20, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Garfield, voiced by Chris Pratt, and Jon Arbuckle, voiced by Nicholas Hoult, appear in "The Garfield Movie." The OSV News classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

The world’s most famous lasagne-loving, Mondays-averse feline gets a third big-screen outing with “The Garfield Movie” (Columbia). Director Mark Dindal’s animated adaptation of cartoonist Jim Davis’ long-running comic strip is generally amiable and family-friendly. Yet it’s only fitfully amusing and feels disposable.

Chris Pratt voices the gluttonous orange tabby cat. Kidnapped by Jinx (voice of Hannah Waddingham), a villainous female Persian, Garfield soon discovers that his abductor’s real target is his estranged dad, Vic (voice of Samuel L. Jackson).

Garfield believes that Vic abandoned him when he was a kitten, leaving him on his own until he was adopted by his human buddy, Jon (voice of Nicholas Hoult). Now, however, he must put away his resentment and learn to cooperate as together father and son endeavor to obtain the king’s ransom in milk Jinx is demanding.

So it’s off to a dairy farm where Garfield, Vic and Jon’s dog, Odie (voice of Harvey Guillén) — who doubles as Garfield’s best friend — receive training in tactics from Otto (voiced by Ving Rhames), a bull resentful over the treatment his beloved cow has received at the hands of the establishment’s managers. Cue a sequence mildly satirizing various action movie tropes.

There are a few moments of enjoyable comedy and some gentle sentiment. But the script’s lessons about not judging others too hastily and the value of teamwork can’t disguise the slapdash nature of the proceedings.

That said, there’s not much for parents to worry about along Garfield’s path to greater insight. Even the potty humor — seemingly inevitable in kids’ movies — is kept in bounds with only one sight gag and a single throwaway line of dialogue. Tots, however, might find some scenes of peril too frightening.

The film contains cartoon violence, characters in danger and a couple of mild scatological jokes. The OSV News classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

The fall guy — pg-13 (a-lll), guardians of the galaxy vol. 3 — pg-13 (a-iii), can you drink the cup the priesthood of jesus christ.

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I Urge All Catholic Families to Watch This Movie

New Old Movie Review: ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ (1938)

LEFT: Poster for the original theatrical run of the 1938 American film The Adventures of Robin Hood. RIGHT: Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn star as Maid Marian and Robin Hood in The Adventures of Robin Hood.

The legend of Robin Hood has been portrayed many times on big and little screens, but no version has even approached the brilliance of 1938’s The Adventures of Robin Hood . The movie stars some Hollywood legends of its own such as Olivia de Havilland as Maid Marian and Errol Flynn in the title role. Dazzling lines of dialogue are delivered in every scene, and the movie is backed by Erich Korngold’s majestic and innovative musical score. Even though it was shot in Technicolor 85 years ago, I’m not sure there has been a prettier movie ever filmed. Beyond all this, the movie has many virtues to teach and illustrate.

The movie is set in the late 12th century, during which King Richard the Lionheart has gone to fight in the Third Crusade. On his return home, Richard is kidnapped by Duke Leopold of Austria. Aided by the treasonous assistance of Norman barons, Richard’s treacherous brother Prince John uses this as his opportunity to seize the throne of England for himself. His rule of over-taxation, food confiscation, and murder against the Saxons begins. The poor Saxons desperately need a hero, and a hero appears: Sir Robin of Locksley. Robin assembles a team of fighting men, and they establish their home base in Sherwood Forest. Robin also takes in those poor Saxons who have nowhere else to go. He also brings in a priest to say Mass and administer the sacraments for the new community. Along the way, Robin meets Maid Marian, and this begins a beautiful — albeit dangerous — romance.

I first saw this movie with my dad when I was about 13 years old. When I watch it today, four decades later, it’s like seeing an old friend, because Robin Hood taught me plenty of virtues. At the time, I didn’t even know I was learning them, but that’s a powerful way to learn virtues.

Among those virtues was justice. I have always found it odd that Robin Hood is known as a character who “robs from the rich to give to the poor.” Of course, if that’s what Robin was doing — performing robbery — it would be a vice. But he was not robbing; rather, he was reclaiming recently confiscated money and food. The movie highlights that Prince John sought to starve the poor, and Robin endeavored to feed them. St. Thomas Aquinas has something to say about the morality of such an action:

Nevertheless, if the need be so manifest and urgent, that it is evident that the present need must be remedied by whatever means be at hand (for instance when a person is in some imminent danger, and there is no other possible remedy), then it is lawful for a man to succor his own need by means of another's property, by taking it either openly or secretly: nor is this properly speaking theft or robbery. (Summa Theologiae, II-II, Q. 66, Art. 7)

The right to property originates in justice — as do all rights — but the right to property is not absolute. The movie also demonstrated to me the damage and misery that is caused by totalitarian governments. It’s no wonder that I majored in Political Science in college.

The movie also illustrated to me the importance of pity. Robin Hood has pity; indeed, it is pity that moves him to action. When the people are driven from their homes by the murderous regime of Prince John, Robin Hood establishes a haven for them. It is one thing to accept a neighbor; it is a far greater thing to build a neighborhood for the oppressed. And Robin does just that in Sherwood Forest. Further, Robin is smart enough to understand that even the “bad guys” might benefit from his pity, too — and that they just might be capable of great good. Maid Marian was on the wrong side, until Robin Hood moved her to pity by walking with her among the poor.

The lessons of pity are crucial, especially now, when pity is vanishing in our world. Today, many people have largely lost the sense of pity because they focus on the depravity of man, both individually and collectively. It’s no secret that entire political campaigns are run, not on the virtues of a candidate, but on the vices — real or pretend — of his opponent. All the opposition’s supporters are also deemed evil by extension.

There is a desperate effort to scapegoat one man or one nationality, which quickly becomes many men and many nationalities. Numerous media outlets on both “Left” and “Right” present an up-at-dawn smorgasbord of enthusiastic demonization of others. Contemporary political discussions in the media almost never speak of virtue even tangentially; the political conversations focus instead on vice, villains and villainy. If you feed yourself a three-course dinner of these ingredients every night from 8pm to 11pm, you’ll begin to look at the whole world that way.

Problem is, when you consider everyone a villain, you can no longer be moved to pity. As Aristotle phrased it in his Rhetoric , “In order to feel pity we must also believe in the goodness of at least some people; if you think nobody good, you will believe that everybody deserves evil fortune.”

Robin Hood also taught me the importance of chivalry, which is a code of honor based on Christian virtue. Robin Hood would never mistreat a lady, whether she be Norman or Saxon; indeed, he would protect a woman’s honor, even if she proved disinterested in protecting it herself. We’ve lost that chivalric code, and both Church and state have suffered from its absence. As Geoffroi de Charny, chivalric knight and protector of the Shroud of Turin wrote, “All good men-at-arms are rightly bound to protect and defend the honor of all ladies against all those who would threaten it by word or deed.”

Of course, chivalry is linked to Christian romance. Aquinas does not list romance as a virtue; nevertheless, authentic romantic love must be composed of both charity and chastity, which proves a wellspring of other virtues. For instance, Robin exercised even more fortitude to win the heart of Marian. I don’t think Robin would have ever deemed himself worthy of Marian, nor Marian of Robin. A profession of one’s own unworthiness of his beloved: that’s the stuff of powerful marriages. And it’s no minor point that the movie triumphantly concludes with Robin Hood and Marian literally running off to be married.

Growing up, I watched Robin Hood many times with my dad. Only later did I come to understand that the fictional Robin Hood and my combat-veteran father shared some important similarities. When I was old enough to understand, my dad told me that he fought in plenty of battles, but his primary motivation was not to fight the bad guys; rather, it was to protect the good and innocent people from harm. My father even helped establish protective camps for Vietnamese families who were seeking shelter from the Russian-funded Viet Cong communists. With his Special Forces medical training, my dad even helped heal the wounds of the innocent. My father was a true-life legend.

As I go back and watch Robin Hood now, I realize that much of my joy of the film goes beyond the film itself. As a history buff, my dad could explain the relevant history of the period. I remember my dad and my brothers quoting the film’s dialogue to each other. (To this day, we still do.) I remember laughing with my brothers at Robin Hood’s witty comebacks to Prince John. I hope that I am creating many of those same memories, and instilling many of those same virtues, for my children. And so can it be for all Catholic families. While Hollywood is urging you to view the most recent cinematic offerings, I urge you Catholic families to turn the clock back 85 years, and enjoy this masterpiece together.

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John Clark John Clark is a course developer for Seton Home Study School and a political speechwriter. He has written two books and hundreds of articles about Catholic family life and apologetics. His newest book is titled Betrayed Without a Kiss: Defending Marriage After Years of Failed Leadership in the Church . John and his wife Lisa have nine children and live in central Florida.

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Movie Reviews and Recommendations

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‘Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara’ Review: A Notorious Catholic Crime

“Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara” begins with scenes so bizarre, astonishing and enraging that it’s as if Kafka wandered into 19th-century Italy. The story is true, though: In 1858 Bologna, then a papal state and hence ruled by the pope, a large Jewish family receives a knock on the door at night. They are told that their sixth child, Edgardo, has been secretly baptized (by a nanny) and is therefore a Christian for the rest of his life. The process is irreversible, and according to law the boy must be raised in the Roman Catholic Church. The authorities, backed by the full force of a magistrate, take him away, telling his parents the only way to get him back would be to convert.

This joint production from Italy, France and Germany is a late-career highlight from the 84-year-old director Marco Bellocchio, who has been making films since the early 1960s and whose credits include dozens of features such as “The Traitor” (2019) and the documentary “Marx Can Wait” (2021). Mr. Bellocchio, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Susanna Nicchiarelli, has crafted a weighty, suspenseful family drama that touches on the eternal conflicts of religion but widens into a consideration of law, personal development and power politics. The picture won five David di Donatello awards, Italy’s version of the Oscars.

Sumptuously photographed with Caravaggesque richness by Francesco Di Giacomo, the movie divides its attention between Edgar’s parents (Fausto Russo Alesi, Barbara Ronchi) and the Church officials with whom they plead to get their child back: Pier Feletti (Fabrizio Gifuni), a priest who is head of the local office of the Inquisition; and the pope himself, Pius IX (Paolo Pierobon). Edgardo, played as a boy by Enea Sala, is whisked off to Rome to be raised dormitory-style with other Jewish boys who are being converted to Catholicism with immersive instruction in the faith.

Mr. Bellocchio has a background in radical politics and has often been critical of the Catholic Church, but if the pope comes off as unspeakably cruel, Catholic teaching comes off much better. The clerics who look after Edgardo are kindly and warm, and the boy adjusts well enough that he starts to seem less like a prisoner and more like an ordinary boarding-school student from the era when education and religious teaching tended to be closely linked.

The case received so much attention that it featured in newspaper cartoons as far away as the U.S. and excited much debate. Even the emperor of France, Napoleon III, weighed in. The pope senses the weight of public opinion is turning strongly against him but insists dogmatically he will ride out the criticism. The time and place are anything but stable, though; revolutionaries are on the march, vowing to remove authority from the Vatican and form a new Kingdom of Italy. The pope remains in sovereign control of Rome, where the boy lives.

Years go by, and still the Mortaras try to recover their son. As the political winds shift the movie briefly turns into a fascinating courtroom drama dealing with the question of whether someone can be convicted of a crime for duly enforcing the law as it was written at the time. Mr. Bellocchio is full of compassion for Edgardo’s parents, who never stop hoping to bring him home, but strikes a balance between their anguish and Edgardo’s self-discovery. In one hushed and mystical scene, the youngster has a vision of Christ coming off the cross. The moment elevates the story to a realm beyond mere argument.

Played as a young adult by Leonardo Maltese, Edgardo continues down a path his parents never would have expected him to follow, and perhaps without even intending to the film raises pertinent and timely questions about the degree to which institutions indoctrinate young people in ways that might offend their families.

In a sense, the events depicted aren’t that far in the past: Edgardo lived until 1940, so his lifespan overlapped with that of many people still among us, and some matters central to it continue to be salient today. That tortuous journey gets the respect it deserves in this sensitive and beautifully realized drama.

‘Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara’ Review: A Notorious Catholic Crime

10 Classic Family Movies That Premiered at the Cannes Film Festival

Cannes has premiered some great family films.

The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most prestigious and renowned film festivals in the world, and one of the most important events on the cinematic calendar. The annual French festival brings about the most respected names in the industry, and premieres movies of a high caliber.

From anticipated projects from auteurs to avant garde films, Cannes is known for playing films that are usually targeted towards adult and highly artistic audiences. However, the festival also has a history of premiering mainstream blockbusters , and a handful of those have been family films from the likes of Disney, DreamWorks and more.

10 ‘E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial’ (1982)

Steven Spielberg ’s iconic family masterpiece E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial premiered out of competition at Cannes in 1982, and was the closing film of the festival that year. As a crowd pleaser for all ages and audiences, it blew even the most cultured moviegoers away.

Before it would go one to become the movie of the summer and make bank at the box office, the film received widespread acclaim and earned a massive standing ovation at its screening (this was before every film at Cannes got standing ovations, even the bad ones).

RELATED: Classic Movies Which Were Screened Out of Competition at Cannes Film Festival

9 ‘Kung Fu Panda’ (2008)

When the Cannes Film Festival comes to mind, one thinks of prestige, glamor and… Po the Panda? An animated comedy about a panda who becomes a kung fu master doesn’t exactly scream ‘Cannes’, but Kung Fu Panda did indeed premiere out of competition in 2008.

The film would go on to launch a hugely successful franchise, and received rave reviews out of Cannes. Its starry cast, which includes Jack Black and Angelina Jolie , certainly live up to the glitz of Cannes, with the stars coming out to attend the premiere event.

8 ‘Shrek’ (2001)

Before it became the pop culture phenomenon it is today, the original Shrek premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. However, it didn’t play out of competition like most family films. Shrek competed for the top prize of the Palm d’Or in 2001, and was the first animated film to do so since 1953’s Peter Pan .

The festival would be the first of the green ogre’s many successes, as it would later go on to become one of the most beloved films of all time. It was the first film to ever win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, and launched a billion dollar franchise.

7 ‘Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted’ (2012)

As the title suggests, Madagascar: 3 Europe’s Most Wanted sees everyone’s favorite lion, zebra, hippo and giraffe travel with the circus around Europe. One of their stops is France, and with a chunk of the film set there, what better place to premiere the film than Cannes?

The third installment of DreamWorks’s franchise played out of competition at the festival in 2012. It’s hard to know exactly how the local audience would have reacted, given that the film’s main villain is a Terminator-like French animal control officer voiced by Frances McDormand .

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6 ‘Over the Hedge’ (2006)

Many films from DreamWorks Animation have played at Cannes over the years, including the predominantly forgotten family flick Over the Hedge . The film premiered out of competition at the 2006 festival, but didn’t create enough buzz to truly become a hit later on.

While Over the Hedge is a perfectly fine romp for kids, and features an impressive voice cast with everyone from Bruce Willis to Avril Lavigne , it lacks the storytelling strengths of other DreamWorks favorites that have played at Cannes. It fails to stand out among classics like Shrek or Kung Fu Panda .

5 ‘Inside Out’ (2015)

Pixar has debuted a number of their classics at the Cannes Film Festival, including their latest, Elemental . One of their most successful outings at the festival was the out of competition premiere of Inside Out in 2015, which later went on to win an Oscar.

The film, which is set inside the mind of a young girl and follows her personified emotions, earned rave reviews from the festival audience. It was Pixar’s first original film in three years, with a premise and execution that truly showcases their complexity and creativity as storytellers.

4 ‘Shrek 2’ (2004)

As one of the greatest animated sequels of all time, it only makes sense that Shrek 2 followed in the footsteps of its predecessor and also competed for the prestigious Palme d’Or in 2004. While it may not have won, it’s the only animated franchise to compete for such an award TWICE.

The success of the first film obviously helped the series return to Cannes, but Shrek 2 ended up being an even bigger hit. With higher stakes, new characters like Puss in Boots and Prince Charming, and epic musical numbers, it’s cinema at its peak.

RELATED: The Best DreamWorks Sequels, According to Reddit

3 ‘Willow’ (1988)

While Ron Howard’s ‘80s fantasy flick Willow , starring Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer , didn’t technically have its premiere at the Cannes, the film did screen there as a special presentation and even closed the festival in 1988. It was released in U.S. theaters shortly after.

While the film, which was produced in collaboration with Lucasfilm, didn’t reach the popularity heights of Star Wars , it was still able to earn a cult following over the years, and even gained a sequel in the form of a Disney+ series which debuted in late 2022.

2 ‘The Little Prince’ (2015)

Based on the classic tale, this co-production between France and the U.S. is a visually stunning and emotionally moving adaptation that played out of competition at Cannes in 2015. It was met with glowing reception, which helped push its success when it was released on Netflix .

The film features a stunning combination of computer generated and stop-motion animation, and a starry voice cast which includes Jeff Bridges , Rachel McAdams , Marion Cotillard and Paul Rudd . Given the original story’s French origins, it’s no surprise The Little Prince made its debut here.

1 ‘Up’ (2009)

Pixar’s masterpiece Up played out of competition at Cannes, but it also marked many firsts for the festival. It was the first ever animated film to open the festival, the first 3D movie to screen there, and the first Pixar movie to ever play as part of the Official Selection.

Thanks to its wit, heart and moving opening sequence, Up became an instant hit, and was the second animated movie to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Its success at Cannes helped form the strong relationship between Pixar and the festival, as their films continue to debut there.

NEXT: The Best Pixar Films Ranked, According To IMDb

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TV Review: Lost childhood and cycles of violence in Hulu's 'Under the Bridge'. Hulu's "Under the Bridge," based on a true story, premiered in April and will continue to release new episodes weekly through May 29. The drama, rated TV-MA largely for its violence and language, stars Keough (of Prime Video's "Daisy Jones and the Six ...
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With so many films depicting Catholic characters and stories, the Register offers insightful film reviews and sneak peek interviews with some of the leading actors and actresses. Always check in ...
A look at the Top 10 best movies overall and best ...
Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Judi Dench, Jude Hill and Lewis McAskie star in a scene from the movie "Belfast.". The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Catholic Family Movie Review: Turning Red
A Family Trait. Turning red is a curse passed on through the generations to the women of Mei Mei's family. It happened to each of her female relatives right around the time of becoming a teenager. Each woman was scarred by the experience (both figuratively and literally), and later given the opportunity to actually bottle up their inner Red ...
Movie Reviews & Reviewer Resources
Elemental (Common Sense Media) This movie is another hit from Pixar and Disney. It is a touching portrsyal of how differences can work together and even is a commentary on the immigrant expereince. OK for kids 6+. Transformers (Pluggedin Online) This is one of the films that parents might be hesitant about.
Top 100 Pro-Catholic Movies
10. The Bells of St Mary's (1945) 11. Thérèse (2004) 12. Braveheart (1995) *. 13. The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima. 14.
95 Best Catholic Movies to Rent For Your Family
95 Best Catholic Movies To Rent For Your Family. All of these movies can be rented online at Netflix or ordered on Amazon and other sites may offer them as well. Be sure to print this list and keep handy for the long winter months ahead! Print a list of the movies here. For Greater Glory (2012) October Baby (2011)
The Catholic Movie Reviewer Shares The Most Anticipated Family Movies
Hey there, movie enthusiasts! Mato Rivera, The Cinematic Catholic, here, and I'm thrilled to share my excitement for the upcoming family movies in 2024. Let's dive into my top 10 picks without further ado. "Ordinary Angels" | February 23rd. Kicking off the list is "Ordinary Angels," a touching true story featuring Hillary Swank. The ...
Wildcat Movie Review: Highly Recommended
Wildcat Movie Review: Highly Recommended. May 2, 2024 ~ Lorelei Savaryn. From the very beginning scene, which portrays one of Flannery O'Connor's short stories re-imagined as a trailer for a dramatic black and white film, I knew I was in for an artistic treat. Directed and co-written by Ethan Hawke, Wildcat is a deep delve into the mind of ...
Family Movie Nights, Are They Even Possible ...
The Emperor's New Groove Such a good father figure!; Prince of Egypt This movie is just so well done, and the songs are hauntingly beautiful.; The Princess and the Frog Some scary parts, and Mama Odie needs a pause to discuss, but the message of not messing around with demons, I like!; Lilo and Stitch Some serious family fighting, but overall a good message about overcoming bad inclinations ...
Film Reviews
Film Review, Character-driven, Based on a True Story. 5/21/2024 4:40:00 PM. View Count 158. Based on the amazing true story of Doctor Ming Wang, a world-renowned eye surgeon, this film celebrates the possibility of the light coming from within a person being more powerful than any light coming into them from outside. Read More.
Your guide for Catholic movies and shows to watch on Netflix, Hulu and
Last updated: May 1, 2020. With tens of thousands of movies and television shows available on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, it can be difficult to find content that engages the Catholic ...
The best movies I watched in 2023
Watch at your own risk; make a habit of doing your own research when it comes to content (I find the IMBD parents' guide useful). Religious films. Natalia. The only film on my list that was ...
Top 10 movies for Catholics now on Netflix
Pirates of the Caribbean. Buena Vista Pictures. The Curse of the Black Pearl: The Pirates movie that started it all. A must-see if you somehow haven't watched it yet, and in my opinion worth the ...
Top 10 best movies and family films of 2021
Below, in alphabetical order, are capsule reviews of the Top 10 movies overall and seven of the best family films of 2021 as selected by the Media Review Office of Catholic News Service. The CNS classification of all the pictures on the former list is A-III — adults. Unless otherwise noted, the Motion Picture Association rating of each is PG ...
Decent Films
The Lourdes Effect: The Miracle Club director Thaddeus O'Sullivan on Irish trauma and miracles. Laura Linney stars in an Irish comedy set in 1967 about a group of women confronting their past on a pilgrimage to Lourdes. The director talks about the trauma that Irish movies set in this timeframe tend deal with, and what he calls the "Lourdes ...
The Good Catholic Movie Review
Our review: Parents say ( 3 ): Kids say ( 1 ): This dramedy offers a gentle look at a dedicated young priest's struggle with strong romantic feelings. The Good Catholic fares well in the company of the charming Jane; Schmidt handles her character's snarky wit and impassioned singing well, while also showing Jane's growing emotions. Her dialogue ...
The Garfield Movie
The Garfield Movie — PG (A-l) OSV News. May 28, 2024. John Mulderig. 0. Garfield, voiced by Chris Pratt, and Jon Arbuckle, voiced by Nicholas Hoult, appear in "The Garfield Movie.". The OSV News classification is A-I — general patronage. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested.
Movie review: 'Elemental' is mostly family-friendly fare
Movie review: 'Elemental' is mostly family-friendly fare. Ember Lumen (voice of Leah Lewis) and Wade Ripple (voice of Mamoudou Athie) appear in the animated movie "Elemental.". The OSV News classification is A-II - adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG - parental guidance suggested.
I Urge All Catholic Families to Watch This Movie
New Old Movie Review: 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' (1938) A Service of EWTN News, Inc. ... He has written two books and hundreds of articles about Catholic family life and apologetics.
Movie Reviews and Recommendations Archives
Movie Reviews and Recommendations. Movie Reviews and Recommendations - Sometimes you need a Catholic perspective on today's movies and that's what these posts provide. In addition to Catholic movie reviews, you'll find resources to help you plan for your apostolate, youth group, and family!
'Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara' Review: A ...
Sumptuously photographed with Caravaggesque richness by Francesco Di Giacomo, the movie divides its attention between Edgar's parents (Fausto Russo Alesi, Barbara Ronchi) and the Church ...
10 Classic Family Movies That Premiered at the Cannes Film ...
However, the festival also has a history of premiering mainstream blockbusters, and a handful of those have been family films from the likes of Disney, DreamWorks and more. 10 'E.T. The Extra ...

A look at the Top 10 best movies overall and best family films of 2021

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Family Movie Nights, Are They Even Possible? . . . Our Favorite Movies (Mostly) Appropriate for All Ages

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See also: The Problem With Every Movie From My Youth: and ten family movies that won’t teach your kids to swear like a sailor

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Bonus Movie Review: Lion King 2019

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